Stardock has released the second phase of it`s Impulse digital distribution center which includes the ImpulseReactor which adds match making, multiplayer rankings, and a host of of cloud computing components to the service. Political Machine 2008 (which Tyler liked) will be the first game to incporporate these features into a game with other games (including Demigod) being based on these services.

As part of this release you`ll also be able to purchase and download select 2K Games titles including Sid Meier`s Pirates and Civilization III. Stardock is going directly head to head with Valve`s Steam service right now and it will be interesting to see how it shakes out.